Aviattic | ATTKIT 012 1/32 Pfalz D.VIII 'Pour le Mérite' Collector's Edition

Reviewed by Iain Ogilvie

Richard Andrews' Aviattic brand has gained quite a reputation over the years for the exquisite quality of its products, from fabric effect decals to full resin kits - but in my opinion the Pfalz D.VIII kit released last year takes things to another level!

What's in the Box?

Sometimes you get an insight into the quality of a product before you open the box - and this is a particularly good example of this.

Shipped in a corrugated box that safely 'hugs' its precious cargo - this should survive most postal handling. The kit boxart is superb and gives a hint at the quality and attention to detail exhibited within...

Fuselage

Supplied in their own self-sealing bubble-wrap bag for protection, the fuselage shells are beautiful cast in grey resin. No flash, no pour stubs to remove, and amazingly thin and delicate for resin castings.

A notably unique thing with this kit is the method used to ensure alignment of the two halves when bonding - tiny ball bearings located in hemispherical holes. Not only is this an example of really 'thinking out of the box', but it should enable absolutely perfect alignment when bonding.

Surface detail on the outside is exquisite and reflects the surface details of the real airframe to perfection. Inside, the wooden skin structure is very nicely done.

Wings

Again, beautifully cast in grey resin - with yet more exquisite surface detail!

The upper and lower wing sections are securely taped to a piece of black card that sits neatly in the base of the kit box - safe from damage - and any potential warping. Neat!

Internal Structure

A change of medium here: the first of the 3D Printed resin parts - in this case the largest and most complex 3D print in the kit.

Like the fuselage halves, it's neatly packaged in it's own bubble-wrap sleeve - which is good because it's really delicately rendered. Care and some sharp cutters will be needed to remove the core component from it's print supports, but it doesn't look onerous and anyone contemplating a kit such as this will have no issues preparing this for paint and assembly.

Cowling

Back to cast resin again and we have a beautifully detailed cowl ring and engine firewall.

Control Surfaces and Cast Resin Detail Parts

I'll just leave it to the photos to do the talking here - more cast resin loveliness.

Two propellor types are included, both four bladers, covering the Imperial and Wotan types.

Detail Parts

A small bag contains the fuselage alignment ball bearings mentioned earlier, two lengths of plastic rod, pre-cut belts and a pair of 3D Printed Carb Intake parts.

3D Printed Detail Parts

More detail parts, oh yes! These have been produced by Gaspatch models - to their usual, extremely high, standards.

Using 3D Printing technology to advantage we have a very neatly, and securely, packaged set of further detail parts - from struts to instruments, engine components to a stunning pair of Spandau 08/15 machine guns and barrels, control column and other parts. Just stunning!

Clear Cast Parts

3 Pulsators are cast in clear resin - so you have a couple of spares.

Photo Etch

A very neat - and comprehensive - photo etched fret provides a multitude of components...

Turnbuckles!

Another Gaspatch goody - a set of 3D Printed rigging turnbuckles, 90 of them in varying styles.

Figure

Sculpted by Doug Craner, a resin figure Leutnant Paul Bäumer - with a photo etched details fret that includes two styles of goggles!

I've upped the contrast hugely so you can see the detail. A really nice figure.

Instructions

Firstly - these aren't really kit instructions in the sense we've become accustomed to - this is a small book!

Again, I'll let the photos do the talking, but it not only takes you through the construction steps, in a super clear way, and provide colour scheme details, it includes detailed colour notes, along with photos of the original detail components.

One word, superb!

Colour Schemes

A rather grand total of 12 screen printed decal options are provided for in the box:

Airframe 172/18, pilot unknown, Jasta 14, Phalempin, August 1918
Airframe 154/18, pilot unknown, Jasta 14, Phalempin, August 1918
Airframe 112/18, pilot and unit unknown
Airframe 124/18 (unconfirmed), Ltn. Der Reserve Paul Baumer, Jasta 2, Vivaise, May 1918
Aiframe 158/18, pilot unknown, photographed at Romoratin, April 1919 and sent to the US for evaluation
Airframe 170/18, pilot unknown, factory fresh appearance possibly delivered to Jasta 14 at Phalempin
Airframe178/18 flown by Ltn. Ludwig Beckmann, Jasta 56, Rumbeke-Ooost, August 1918
serial unknown, flown by Vzfw. Heinrich Forstmann, Kest 1a, Mannheim-Sandhofen, October 1918
Serial unknown, pilot unknown, of Jasta 29, Autumn 1918
Serial unknown, Oblt. Harold Auffarth, Jasta 29, Autumn 1918
Serial unknown, Vzfw. F. Piechulek, Jasta 56, Rumbeke-Ost, August 1918
Serial unknown, possibly 125/18, Ltn. Der Reserve Paul Bäumer, Jasta 2, Vivaise, May 1918

Scheme Specific Decals

Roughly A4 in size, this sheet provides specific markings for the majority of options. Beautifully printed, in perfect register, and with minimal excess varnish around each design.

Decals - Paul Bäumer

This supplemental sheet provides the markings specific to Ltn. Der Reserve Paul Bäumer - as with the main sheet these look excellent.

Decals - Fabric Lozenge

Given the Aviattic reputation for producing very convincing linen effect decals, with accurate color reproduction, you'd expect this kit to include some of these signature decals.

You actually get two A4 sheets worth here - and they are quite superb!

You also get two sets of rather nicely done instrument faces.

Poster

This is rather nice: an A3 sized poster with the Box Art on one side, and Juanita Franzi profile art on the other. Would look great framed - you'll just have to choose which side to display!

Conclusion

What more can I say...

Richard is a perfectionist, and that shows in his range of Aviattic products. But what we have here though goes a step beyond in this writers humble opinion: obviously a real labour of love and a bit of a magnum opus!

EDIT: Richard has informed me that the kit has sold out and now, sadly, unavailable.

Aviattic's range of products can be found on their website.

My thanks to Ray Peterson (LSP_Ray) for the opportunity to review this amazing kit.